Virginia Has a Chance to Improve Transportation System
October 11th, 2006Author: Mark Newman
As they say, there is a chance to improve the state’s transportation system in Virginia by a subsidiary of millions of dollars. The source of money is believed to be a pari-mutuel game, called “Instant Racing” that people would be able to play at Colonial Downs and nine off-track betting parlors located around the state. The game is believed to raise as much as from $660 million to $934 million dollars. This money will definitely help to deal with all the transportation problems. To say more, the game has already been adopted in Arkansas.
People are sure that there will be some amendment in the pari-mutuel game to allow the game to be played. The game is to be played on machines resembling ATMs. The players will be featured races of the past years. Moreover, records of horses, jockeys and trainers will be available for them. The only thing that is supposed to be left behind the players’ knowledge is when and where the race took place.
Actually, the bill has already been introduced in the House by Del. Phillip A. Hamilton, R-Newport News. The same bill has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Thomas K. Norment, R-James City. The implementers are sure to face long odds in the legislature. Here’s what Hamilton worries about: “I haven’t started working the bill. There’s a little bit of concern from horse breeders. They would receive only 2 percent of the profits and Colonial Downs would take away 49 percent. So far, the House and Senate have not even gotten out of the gate, much less finished the race to raise substantial new cash for transportation”.
What has already been proposed by the governor and the Senate is increasing some taxes and fees to deal with the transportation problems, but the House has declined the offer. The other proposal deals with the punishment of reckless drivers causing serious accidents and resulting in delays on highways, tunnels and bridges. Besides fines and possible jail time, these drivers shall get a fee not exceeding $10,000. The fee will go to Virginia’s Transportation Find, and will be used for road building and transportation.
